CBCP head on Aquino’s cha-cha: ‘No, no, no’

MANILA, August 15, 2014— The head of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines said there is zero probability that the Church will support the government’s fresh push for Charter change.

Archbishop Socrates Villegas, CBCP President, said they are against amending the Constitution if it is premised on the “wrong” reasons.

“I cannot lend support to constitutional amendments that merely serve the purposes of one office-holder or one class of persons,” Villegas said.

According to him, constitutional amendments are justified only when they “redound to the benefit of the nation and address long-festering problems arising out of ambiguities in the Constitution.”

After years of rejecting Charter change, President Benigno Aquino III yesterday said he is now open to the idea of extending his term and examining the power of the Supreme Court.

The CBCP head said he is also not convinced about curbing the power of the High Court which serves as the only recourse of ordinary Filipinos against abuses by those in power.

“We cannot support the proposed curtailment of the power of judicial review. Against the heavy hand of the State or transgressions of the Constitution by politicians, judicial review is the only recourse of the hapless citizen,” stressed Villegas.

For his part, outspoken retired Archbishop Oscar Cruz believes that the sudden turn-around of Aquino’s stand on Charter change is something suggested by those who share his “power and blessings”

“I do not think that the President is totally responsible for his option of a second term by changing the Constitution,” said Cruz, archbishop emeritus of Lingayen-Dagupan.

President Benigno Aquino III recently expressed openness to charter change, specifically on the powers of the Supreme Court and presidential term extensions. (Photo: CBCP News)

“His bosses are those around him. They are the ones controlling him,” he said, adding that Aquino’s allies want another term for him so they “can continue their stay in their beneficial offices.”

Cruz, former CBCP president, is among the signatories of the first impeachment complaint against Aquino.

The executive branch led by Aquino has been at odds with the SC because of decisions that go head to head with the pronouncements of the administration, as in the case of the Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP).

Aquino, however, said he will have to listen to his “bosses” (the people) first if they still want him to continue the supposed “reforms” he started in the government.

Cruz warned the President of his downfall if he continues to pursue a second term.

“I am of the conviction that as of now, more and more people will give poor ratings to the president, more and more people would like him to be out, and more and more members of the other political parties will work harder for it,” he said. (CBCPNews)